Fears are intensifying over the future of more than 100 young people amid plans to axe their youth centre.

Charity Pie Factory Music unveiled plans to drum up half a million pounds in an attempt to buy Ramsgate Youth Centre.

It comes as owners Kent County Council announced plans to sell the High Street venue as part of a wave of youth service closures throughout the county.

Pie boss Zoë Carassik voiced concerns for young people’s future after a report last year painted an alarming picture of the impact the cost-saving measures could have.

She said: “We feel strongly that Ramsgate Youth Centre is Pie’s rightful home and we are determined to keep it. So, we’ve decided to try to buy it.

“At the moment, young people are being let down by systematic cuts to provision and safe spaces for them to hang out, be creative, and be themselves. They are at higher risk of loneliness, poor mental health and fear of youth violence or exploitation.”

She says young people tell the charity the youth centre is a “safe haven”, their “second home” and a place to “make a fresh start”, “make friends” and “find freedom”.

The group, which has been at the building in High Street, St Lawrence, since 2013, aims to raise the money through trust and foundation grants but also donations from members of the public.

Locals are asked to promote the campaign, such as through social media if they cannot afford to donate.

Ms Carassik said: “This news comes as we all continue to struggle with the ongoing cost of living crisis, so we know that lots of our community aren’t in a position to donate or give money.

“But every little helps and talking about Pie, advocating for us, and sharing our campaign on your social media is just as powerful for helping us to achieve our goal.”

The campaign, called #SaveOurYouthCentre, was launched on Monday, September 23.

Ms Carassik said the charity can catch young people at the early stages of something going wrong in their lives and help or protect them from further harm.

Pie Factory Music says 18 percent of children in Thanet are living in poverty, and the district has the highest rate of youth unemployment in the South East and one of the highest rates of self-harm among young people.

The organisation, set up in 2002, has more 100 young people a week, aged eight to 25, attending various sessions also for art work, pastoral care and counselling.

The building is also rented out to a toddler dance group, an alternative education provision, and a social wellbeing group for adults with learning disabilities.

A spokesperson for Kent County Council said: “It has been well documented that KCC needs to find an estimated £118m of savings this year to balance the budget and protect statutory services in the future.

"Following the decision not to renew commissioned Youth Services contracts last year, the Ramsgate Youth Centre is no longer required to support the delivery of Youth Services. KCC's Youth Services are delivered via the council's Family Hubs across the county.

"As the building is no longer required to support KCC service delivery, the council will be progressing with the sale of it in line with our normal processes. It is expected that the proceeds from any sale will be reinvested to support the council’s operational services. As part of this process, along with others, the Pie Factory will be able to express an interest.”

KCC has told Thanet District Council (TDC) of its plans as it is the local building authority and because the centre is listed as an asset of community value.

TDC has been told the community has six months to raise funds to bid for the centre.

The authority has released a public notice saying bids by community interest groups must be in by October 18.

You can give money to the fundraising campaign via the donation page on the campaign website on piefactorymusic.com/donate/